individual stories

Oakland speaks: “high rents; gentrification; just right here, right now, chillin'”

Everybody has a story to tell. Everybody has a philosophy of life.

For almost all longer-time Oakland residents, the issue of money and rents is huge. That’s clear from Cetima* and Cloud, who speak here. What can be done about it?

Cetima has hopes in Bernie Sanders. She hopes Sanders will win, but says “you can’t trust politicians, regardless.” Cloud is more skeptical. “Whatever law is going to be is going to be,” he says. It’s what seems to draw him to conclude, “I live in the now. To tell you the truth, what’s going on in the world out there, I could care less.”

And like people all over the world, basically they want a decent life. As Cetima concludes, while she strolls around Lake Merritt, “its a beautiful day today,” or in the words of Cloud: “I’m just right here, right now, enjoying my day… chillin’.”

*Note to Cetima: If you are watching, and if we’ve spelled you name wrong, please write in and let us know. To the others we interviewed: We’ll have your interviews up soon. Thanks to all for taking the time to talk with us.

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